Roasted Tomato Soup with Tiny Meatballs and Rice

INGREDIENTS

• 4 lb. ripe tomatoes, halved crosswise
• 1 large sweet onion such as Vidalia, cut into wedges
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 fresh thyme sprigs
• 1 fresh rosemary sprig
• 3/4 cup coarse fresh bread crumbs
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1/2 lb. ground veal, turkey or lean pork
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 Tbs. torn fresh sage leaves
• 1 tsp. salt, plus salt, to taste
• Freshly ground pepper, to taste
• 1/3 cup arborio rice
• About 2 cups beef or vegetable stock, or canned broth
• 1/3 cup firmly packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
• 1 orange zest strip, 3 inches long and 1/2 inch wide
• 1 garlic clove